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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sonoma Rose- It Could Be Yours!

I actually did get some sewing done this weekend, but this week my blog will be about books! Following my love for quilting, close behind is reading!!

I was asked if I'd be interested in reviewing Jennifer Chiaverini's newest book to be released Tuesday, February 21st. I think this is my first "official" book review. If anybody knows me at all, you know I'm honest. Just don't send me any terrible books to read, and you'll be OK. LOL

The publicists writes to me about the book:Rosa Diaz Barclay is touched by the criminality surrounding Prohibition when she discovers that her husband, John, has given over the duties of their Southern California rye farm in favor of bootlegging. Fearing the safety of her four children, Rosa flees, carrying only a case of John’s ill-begotten cash and her mother’s two quilts. Lars Jorgensen, her true love and the father of two of her children, aids in her escape, and together the six travel north to San Francisco. Under assumed names, they are hired to work at a Sonoma vineyard, where Rosa creates a personal and professional identity that she would never have dared imagine at the opening of her tale, and one that brings great honor-and beauty-to all who surround her.

The idea of a historical fiction intrigued me. I'd probably never pick up the book by reading Amazon's review as it sounds like way too much love story for me.

I didn't get the book until Feb 14th and I am not finished with it yet. I do feel like I can give a review on it though. I admit I went into it thinking I wouldn't really like it. The first two chapters didn't pull me in. I even told me friend I thought it would be a bit fluffy. But, I am pleasantly surprised at how much I am enjoying it!! Jennifer does an excellent job of going back and forth from present day to previous years and so far I feel she is weaving a wonderful fictional story with an accurate view of prohibition in the wine regions of California. I've never given a second thought to what happened to all the wineries when our government decided we need to stop drinking alcohol, including wine. I'm thinking about this when I'm not reading the book! I think that is a sign of a good book when we'd like to know more about a particular era.

If you would like to win this book (when I'm done with it!) please leave a comment and I'll draw a winner next Sunday. That should give me some time to be close to the end. If you have read any other of Jennifer Chiaverini's books, I'd love to know which one has been your favorite.

105 comments:

I have not read any of her previous books, but many have encouraged me to do so! I'd love to win you book. Just like you, in addition to quilting, reading stacks right up there at the top of my favorite things, too. Thanks for the opportunity!

I am a Jennifer Chiaverini fan. I have read all of the Elm Creek books that have been released and I am excited to hear that a new one is about to be released. As for a favourite--I loved them all. Great author and wonderful stories.

I was never much of a reader growing up. Jennifer is definately my favorite author...she truly draws you into the story. I wasn't really into history either growing up so these books have been a great way to think about different things that have occured throughout history.

I just finished reading "The Wedding Quilt" and it's one of my favorites, a few time I shed some happy tears. I hope Jennifer continues with the Elm Creek series, but am intriqued to read something different she has wrote.

I'd LOVE to win the book! I've read all of her books, except for the Wedding Quilt, which was her most recent one before this one I think. My favorite is the Union Quilters, for much the same reasons as you stated, it's steeped in civil war history and the underground railroad. Loved it!

Reading is right on the heels of quilting as favorite ways to spend time. I've enjoyed 5 or 6 other books by Jennifer C (especially The Runaway Quilt), and I'm sure this book would entertain me and keep me out of trouble.Lucky you for getting the chance to review it!

I love the Elm Creek books. I'm not sure that I have a favourite, they're all good in their own way. This one sounds great! I hadn't thought about the vineyards during prohibition either, how interesting.

WooooHoooo , how generous of you, dear Lori! I just LOVE Jennifer Chiaverini's books and my favourite one, up to now, is "A Circle of Quilters".Now crossing my fingers (AND toes!) that I could be the lucky winner...

I haven't read any of her books, yet! can't wait to hear what you thought of the book and yes if its great I would love to read it as well and then I will giveaway too so the book can continued to be past around blogland ;)Have a great week!Kathie

I am currently reading number 15 of her books. I discovered them about 5 months ago.My favorite book of hers is The Lost Quilter. I am a sucker for history and her books just tie in my favorite things, quilting and history! Have always loved to read and this has been an enjoyable series to me.

I have read lots of Jennifer Chiaverini's books and always find something in them to inspire me to make a new quilt. I would love to read the new one and I am interested to learn about what happened in the prohibition era in the US. Take care.

I've been to the beautiful Sonoma area, recently a friend suggest a book about the area and now a chance to win a novel about Sonoma by one of my favorite quinting authors is too much of an opportunity to pass up. I'd be just so very happy to win and read Sonoma Rose.

I've read Jennifer's first 3, and so far I liked the first one best. I saw her at a book signing last fall and she talked about the research she did for this book. She is very thorough and I like that about her work--it isn't just fluff, as I suspected it would be, too. : )

I have read all of Jennifer's books. I have been a fan since the beginning of her writing career. Many of the books include historical events which enhance her stories. I am not able to pick a favorite.

I have read most of her books and enjoy them. My favorite changes with my moods but I recently finished listening to Round Robin Quilt. I have several of her books as audio because my guilty pleasure is sewing while listening to stories that feature quilting. That and Harry Potter books. Am I a dork or what?

I have read many of Elm Creek series books. I don't have a favorite. I did make Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt fr my daughter as a wedding gift. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Sonoma Rose.quiltnannyx2@metrocast.net.

I too love to read. I have read all but the "Wedding Story" in Jennifer's series. My favorite was the first book where we met all the quilters at Elm Creek.m I also love the "Aloha Quilt" because I lived in Hawaii and loved reading about the history of the Hawaiian quilt.

Hey I have read all her books. I am favoring her earlier works at this time but really like the concept of going back in family timeline and seeing what happened to the part of the family who went out west.

Would nejoy having the books and know there are a bunch in my small group who would "stand in line" to read it after me.

Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I've read all the other Elm Creek books. Although I had to wait for what seemed like forever on the one published last November ... the waiting list at my library was looooong. ;-)

I have enjoyed all the Elm Creek books, but I do think the Runaway Quilt is my favorite.

I am so waiting to read this, and would love to be the lucky winner. I read Jennifer's books in order as they come out. Only other one I haven't read yet; but have purchased is The Wedding Quilt. She is definitely one of my favorite authors; but cannot pinpoint a book of her's that is my favorite. I enjoyed them all.I hope she never runs out of ideas for a "next one".

I have them all and enjoyed reading each one. Of course, my favorite has to be "Union Quilters". I've been waiting for her new one to come out. Maybe I'll win and save myself a trip to Barnes and Nobles!lol

I also haven't read any of Jennifer Chiaverrini's books, although I've been tempted to buy some before. I love a good romance and when it's mixed with quilting... all the better. Hope to win this book. Thanks for sharing. Siena

I think "The Quilter's Apprentice" was my favorite book, but gosh, I read this series about eight years ago - and haven't read any of Jennifer's books since - so it's difficult to remember. I know for sure that I liked them, though! Thanks for the chance to win.

I love her books......I owned a bookstore for 30 years and I retired last year...I miss all the new books that come out....I did not know she had a new book......If I won...I could read it and if you let me know the next one who wanted to read it I could send it off to the next person and then she could send it onto the next one. Whoever wanted to play...put a list of names in the book and we just keep sending it along...and if everyone signed the book it would be interesting to see where it goes.

I love these books, my favourite so far (and I can't actually remember the name of it just now!) is the one about slavery and the underground railroad. I love that these books combine fiction and historical facts. A lovely giveaway, thank you!

Our quilting group has been sharing Jannifer's books for the past couple of years. One of our members has all of them and I know she would love to have a copy of this one. So on behalf of my friend Ros, I would love to win a copy.

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